Went to Steamboat Landing tonite with the wife, to do some plunkin for steelhead and salmon.
Settin on the dock BS'ing with fellow fishermen, good bunch of guys, when, WHAM WHAM WHAM the wifes rod is dancin hard.
Grab the rod, she ain't payin attention, and set the hook----OH SH**
The fish bounced the rod so hard it unlocked the freespool lever
I set the hook like a pro and ZIIIIIIP---The mother of all back-lashes.
FISH ON
I run backward and tighten the line. Fish is hooked and tryin to run. Silly me tries to free the backlash
--not workin.
Everyone reels in and clears their rods.
Monte comes over and I hand him the rod and tell him to keep it slack--Then I start hand lining the fish. My mind is saying--DONOT WRAP THE LINE AROUND A FINGER
I play the fish gently and slowly work him toward the dock. Apparently he didn't have his shades on, cause when he saw the sun-light , he boogeyed, I LET GO OF THE LINE.
Monte came up behind me and handed me the rod. The fish is tryin to take line, not happening, so I slowly put the rod to him and change his mind.
Hand the rod to Monte, start hand lining him in.
Derek has the net at the ready. The fish lingers under the dock for a few minutes and I am slowly bringing him up. It's a steelhead, about 15 -18 lbs.
He came to the surface, Derek goes for the net, STABS THE FISH IN THE NOSE
AHHHHH SH**
I LET GO OF THE LINE.
Now we do this all over again. Fish is still on.
Bring him back to the surface and Derek makes a perfect swoop with the net. Hatchery fish in the box, or at least on the dock.
He weighed 15 lbs after gutting him.
Pics show the fish and the reel.
I'm buyin the next time I am down there.
